Purpose :
To compare intraoperative performance and postoperative outcomes after torsional phacoemulsification using a 45° or a 30°balanced phaco tip.

Methods :
A single surgeon performed 80 cataract surgeries with a 45°(40 eyes, group A) or a 30° (40 eyes, group B) Intrepid® Balanced phaco tip. All surgeries were performed using the Centurion® platform with the same ultrasound (US) energy and fluidics settings via a 2.3 mm temporal corneal incision. Intraoperative measurements included total US seconds and the cumulative dissipated energy (CDE) value. The central corneal thickness (CCC) and the central corneal cell density (CD) were evaluated pre- and post-operatively.

Results :
The mean total US seconds and CDE value were 24.91 ± 15.32 and 2.98 ± 1.85 in group A, and 32.88 ± 7.34 and 4.19 ± 1.78 in group B, respectively, with a statistical significance (p < 0.05). Postoperatively, there was no significant increase in CCC and no significant decrease in CD in either group.